Tiered wireless, multi-modal access system and method

ABSTRACT

A wireless, multi-modal access device and system adapted to integrate a number of communications networks operating in differing communication modes to facilitate transfer of communication links during a communication session to promote efficient use of the communication networks. The system includes a plurality of Universal Multi-Modal Access Devices UMMAD that are capable of operating at different frequencies and different protocols (TDMA, AMPS, CDMA, GSM, PCS etc) to communicate with any one of a number of Wide Bandwidth Gateways (WBG), which are each capable of communication using one or more of the protocols. The communication links may be switched from one WBG to another or from one protocol to another during a communication session to continue the session under the control of a Universal System Traffic Controller. Numerous other applications of the UMMADs for unique identification and e-commerce are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to the field of wireless communication andmore particularly to methods and apparatus relating to wireless accessto telecommunication infrastructure and services.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] For a number of years, telecommunication systems have beenevolving from a vast array of disparate independent networks into asingle interconnected telecommunication grid including one way and twoway systems such as public telephone systems, private PBS systems, cablenetworks, internet trunklines, local area networks, broad area networksand many types of wireless systems including specialized microwave,satellite, cellular, PCS, Specialized Radio, television, radio, etc. Theisolation of these systems one from another is disappearing as thebroadcast television signals are now offered over cable and satellitelinks, telephone connections are made over the internet, most local andbroad area networks are connected via modems to public telephonenetworks and to the internet, cable systems are providing telephone andinternet connections, the internet is supplying radio, telephone andother supplemental telecommunication services. The type of informationflowing over this grid includes various types of voice/music (in bothanalog and digital form) data including numeric, textual and graphic(again in both analog and digital form). Traditional distinctionsbetween these systems and the distinction in type of informationconveyed is also disappearing. For example, two way interactive terminalboxes are converting conventional cable TV systems into gateways to theinternet and alternatives to telephone and other two way communicationsystems.

[0003] Integrative technologies have become available that will allowusers, of certain types of wireless networks, automated access to anyone of the available wireless services without requiring consciouseffort by the user. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,854,985 describes anomni-modal wireless access device that allows automated access to anyone wireless network based on a user programmed criteria for selectingthe service that best meets the user's needs. The concepts disclosed inthe '621 patent are being broadly adopted in modern cellular handsetscommonly referred to as multi-mode, multi-band phones because they areable to access anyone of a plurality of available wireless networksusing different frequencies (multi-band) and different communicationprotocols (multi-mode- AMPS, TDMA, CDMA, GSM, etc.). Most of these typesof phones can be set to operate in an automated mode in which it willautomatically search among the available wireless network for the onethat best meets a pre-programmed criteria entered by the user into thehandset, such as a priority list instructing the handset, when serviceis requested by the user, to search among the available wirelessnetworks for the network that appears highest on a prioritized list ofnetworks created by the user and to access that network.

[0004] Re-allocation of scarce radio spectrum through reassignment ofwireless users to disparate systems has been suggested but will requirethe wide adoption of omni-modal wireless access devices of the typedescribed in the '985 patent. Automated re-allocation is described in aseparate patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,761,621) granted to the same assigneeas this invention and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,805,633 and issued toTelefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson. Such access devices and spectrumsharing methods will have the effect of further integrating thetelecommunication infrastructure that links humans to one another and tosources of information, entertainment and various goods and services. Atthe same time, this integrative technology will greatly expand thecapacity of the radio spectrum to handle the ever growing demand forinformation flow over the finite radio spectrum.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] While the '621 and '985 patents disclose concepts that providesome simplification in accessing certain telecommunication services, theconcepts disclosed in these patents do not go far enough in making theentire range of telecommunications systems and services available with aminimum of effort nor do these systems and methods provide for automatedtechniques for assuring that all communications (whether voice or dataor whether landline or wireless) are provided in a manner that bestmeets the functional desires of the user such as highest speed, highestclarity, highest security, least cost, least likelihood of interruption,or other qualities or a combination of such qualities. Therefore, anurgent need exists for technology that will facilitate ease ofcommunication, over the world wide telecommunication grid includingnetworks not yet fully integrated, that best meets the needs of the userfor the fastest, least expensive and most reliable service.

[0006] Moreover, the integrative technologies of the '621 and '985patents do little to solve an extremely critical problem associated withrealizing the full potential of modern telecommunications which is theability to efficiently and automatically identify an individual seekingaccess or service over the world wide telecommunications grid. Thisproblem is addressed by another feature of this invention by whichunique identification of an individual is facilitated by providingautomated unique identification which is also highly secure in that itaffords little chance for unauthorized or fraudulent misuse of thesystem while also placing the user in full control of the process toavoid misuse by others such as governmental agencies that might abusethe user's right of privacy. Thus, an urgent need also exists fortechnology that facilitates unique identification of individuals whohave acquired (or are seeking) access to the telecommunication grid.Only by providing unique identification in a manner than substantiallyeliminates the potential for unauthorized or fraudulent access can thefull potential of important parts of the world wide telecommunicationsgrid be realized, such as the full potential of the internet ande-commerce.

[0007] Among others, an important general aspect of this invention is toovercome the deficiencies of the prior art by providing cradle to grave,anytime/anywhere interlinking of human consciousness via means whichmaintains and respects the right of privacy of every human being toremain unique and capable of exercising free will including the freedomof thought. More particularly, an important aspect of this invention isto facilitate interlinking of human consciousness via a system thatprovides the user with the greatest possible interconnectedness with allother humans and with all electronically accessible knowledge withoutcompromising the uniqueness, right of privacy, freedom of thought andfree will of the user.

[0008] Another important feature of this invention will be to automatethe process of uniquely identifying a human being to facilitateaccessing the interlinked telecommunication grid over which human beingsand organizations communicate for any purpose but particularly forsecuring services such as voice communication, information,entertainment, and especially financial transactions.

[0009] Still another aspect of the subject invention is to provideuniversal access to all available systems to allow the most economicallydesirable allocation of infrastructure resources and to allow automationof the log-on procedures and of procedures for transferring thecommunication link/service/network to achieve the most efficientallocation of scarce radio spectrum. More particularly, it is an objectof the subject invention to provide a system and method, including abusiness method, that is designed to harness market driven competitionto promote innovation in telecommunication technology by granting readyaccess to the world wide telecommunications grid through efficientreallocation of scarce radio spectrum, automated unique identificationof individuals, improved security and reliability of data and voicetransmission, and reduced cost through greater competition and ease ofintroduction of new technologies.

[0010] Still another objective of this invention is to provide apersonally activatable multi-modal, portable access device (which can bedenoted a Universal Multi-Modal Access Device; UMMAD) which has theability to provide omni-modal access to a broad range of wirelessservice networks such as those disclosed in the '985 patent or any otherwireless service that may be available at a given location. Among theomni-modal capabilities of the UMMAD would be to form a wireless bridgefrom a subscriber to one of an array of transceiver base stationsincluding all of the functional characteristics of a typical cellularsystem, fixed site base station that is dedicated to a single system butmodified with augmented functionality allowing the station to provide awide bandwidth gateway to telecommunications services via a short range,low power wireless signal link similar to that of a cordless telephone.Such base stations, with augmented functionality, would form a widebandwidth gateway (WBG) to provide connections with the internet, PTSN,cable services, and other types of communication networks. One type ofparticularly desirable low power wireless link for a UMMAD would be awireless transceiver operating in a accordance with the BLUETOOTHprotocol (disclosed at www.bluetooth.com) for wireless communication ofdata and voice. Any other type of low power, short range wirelesscommunication link would also be suitable.

[0011] It is still another feature of this invention to provide anauto-reconfigurable transceiver, such as a wide band gateway (WBG) thatcan respond to a request for service from a UMMAD within its limitedservice area by sending a request for linkage over its landlineconnection to the requested service provider and by establishing a localwireless communication channel that is both available and compatiblewith the capability of the UMMAD to interact with the WBG as necessaryto provide to the user the requested service. In this configuration theWBG would operate much like a wall mounted cordless telephone unit byextending a communication link to the UMMAD over a communication channeldetermined to be available at extremely low power and using a protocolthat is both consistent with the service requested and consistent withthe capability of the UMMAD to interact with the WBG. As the UMMAD ismoved about or as the communication channel established by the WBG is nolonger operable (due to movement of the UMMAD out of range of the WBG orbecause the assigned channel is otherwise necessary for optimal serviceto another UMMAD user within the service area of the WBG), the wirelesscommunication link would be handed off to another WBG or to a higherlevel wireless service station having an overlapping service area. Thisfeature illustrates the advantage of equipping wireless service userswith UMMAD type portable access devices since the interlinkage ofwireless service users within a given geographic location would greatlyfacilitate the optimal use of the available radio spectrum and wouldfurther facilitate optimal re-allocation of scarce radio spectrum toproduce the optimal level of service to the greatest number of users.

[0012] Still another feature of the subject invention is to providevarious tiers of wireless service within a given geographic area suchthat each tier is characterized by ever greater geographic coverage sothat the first tier would provide wireless service to the greatestgeographic area and the last tier would provide wireless service to thesmallest geographic area.

[0013] A more specific objective of this invention is to provide awireless communication system characterized by the ability to reconnecta lost wireless connection. For example in a multi-tiered system, awireless connection provided, for example within one tier, could haveassociated with it another WBG in the same or another level tier as analternative such that upon loss of the wireless link, the user would beautomatically shifted to a substitute wireless link via an alternativecommunication service that will have the capacity to re-establish thelost connection by (a) finding the location of the user whose call waslost, and (b) reestablishing the last connection to that UMMADautomatically through an alternative communication channel providingwireless service to the same geographic area in which the user islocated. In a mult-tier system serving a population of UMMAD users, eachUMMAD would be capable of interacting with any one of the tiers within agiven geographic area and would be automatically transferrable eitherwithin a tier or from tier to tier depending on changes in thecommunication link (caused, for example by movement of the user orchanges in the pattern of interference affecting the communication link)or re-allocation of the communication links to bring about a moreoptimal utilization of the communication networks for the greatestnumber of users.

[0014] A still more specific object of the subject invention is toprovide a wireless communication system including WBG's as describedabove to create gateways to any available communication service whereineach WBG would be linked by an extremely broadband connection, such as afiber optic cable to any communication system. Each WBG would beprovided with wireless communication capability to reach all UMMAD'sthat may be within operative range of the WBG. With this arrangement,the various UMMAD's could be directed to communicate over the channelthat provides the desired service using the most effective communicationprotocol via the lowest possible tier capable of completing the link toa UMMAD which in turn is capable of providing the service desired by theUMMAD user. Alternatively, the wireless communication system could use aWBG at a higher tier because that WBG is better suited to provide thetype of service (most secure, highest quality, lowest price, strongeststrength signal, least likely to be interrupted, etc.). Examples of thetype of service that could be made available to an UMMAD over a wirelesscommunication link from a WBG would be telephone communication, internetconnection, broadcast television, cable television, radio, weather,news, sports information, airline schedules and other types ofvideo/audio signals.

[0015] Another important aspect of this invention in terms of achievingits full potential is its ability to greatly simplify location andunique identification of individuals to allow quicker, less complicatedaccess to electronically available services of all types. Thisimprovement would employ a unique combination of identifiers ofindividual users of both a “passive” type and an “active” type.

[0016] A more specific object of the subject invention is to providemethods and apparatus for uniquely identifying individuals by a “PassiveIdentification” PI combined with an “Active Identification” AI. PIrelies upon the fact that a human is uniquely identified by his geneticmake up which may be directly measured (e.g. through DNA testing) orwhich is reflected in unique, measurable characteristics such as retinaprints, finger prints, and other physical/functional characteristicswhich may be altered only with great difficulty or not at all. This typeof unique human quality can be considered a “passive identifier” sinceno evidence of consciousness or free will is required for the humanidentifier to be measured. AI relies upon the fact that a human alsopossesses a sense of separateness or consciousness that separates himfrom all other humans. This characteristic finds expression in freedomof thought and in the exercise of free will which can be employed forunique identification but it requires an act of will on the part of theindividual e.g. the individual is required to produce a PIN or issue avoice command. Thus this type of identification can be considered anactive identifier i.e. it requires an active expression of will on thepart of the human being identified.

[0017] A more specific object of this invention is to provide UMMAD'sthat are equipped with a PI in the form of a DNA sensor for identifying,in substantially real time, the identity of an individual. The sensorcould take a variety of forms such as forming part of the UMMAD so thatthe UMMAD would not activate unless held by the person whose DNA issensed by a sensor made part of the UMMAD. Alternatively, the DNA sensorcould be made part of an implantable sensor that is capable ofcommunicating with the UMMAD through electrodes, active signal, passivetransponder technology or identification could occur by secondary DNAdetermined tests such as finger print sensing, retina scans, or otherunique physical identification of the individual.

[0018] Yet another aspect of the subject invention is to provide aportable device such as a UMMAD having the capacity to become activatedonly when a user provides it with his unique “Passive Identifier” (PI)and his “Active Identifier” (AI), as defined above, such that a user canself activate a generic UMMAD simply by providing his unique PI and AIwithout requiring network activation. For example, a portable wirelessaccess device, such as a UMMAD, designed in accordance with the subjectinvention would have the capacity to reconfigure itself upon receipt ofa PI and AI of a subscriber. Using this feature, the user subscriberwould not be required to have his own UMMAD but could use any that mightbe available such as one that is dispensed from a vending machine at anairport or in a supper market. There would be no need to go to acellular equipment office for assignment of a new cellular telephone.

[0019] Still another object of this invention is to provide a systemthat will allow individual users to be assigned a single accessidentifier (personal telephone number) that would allow for automaticaccess to the user regardless of the location of the user. Inparticular, all UMMAD's would provide a continuous location indicationto the nearest WBG to provide the world wide communication gridinformation regarding the location and accessibility of the UMMAD user.Thus, as the user moves about his home or office, only the closest WBGwould announce an incoming call although the call might be answerable atany WBG through the UMMAD carried by the user. As the user enters hisautomobile, the nearest WBG might be a more powerful mobile cellulartransceiver or WBG's located along the path of travel of the user. Inthe office, as the UMMAD user moves about a building, the closest WBGwould communicate with the UMMAD or the UMMAD could be placed in a modeto receive all incoming calls wirelessly from the closest WBG to beanswered through the UMMAD or the WBG which is the closest or becomesthe closest as the user approaches the WBG for the purpose of answeringthe phone. The system would continually track the location of the userand route the incoming call to the user from the nearest WBG to insurethat the user is alerted to an incoming call via the WBG that is bestsuited to meet the user's preprogrammed desires (lowest cost, greatestsecurity, strongest signal, greatest potential for long term connection,etc.). This feature of UMMAD would provide a “follow-me” capability thatwould allow the world wide communication grid to locate and provide callthrough put to all humans who chose to carry an UMMAD having the“follow-me” capability. To avoid “big brother” aspects, each UMMAD couldbe equipped with a user activatable capability for disabling the “followme” functionality in which case the calling party could be invited toleave a message or be routed to another party or destination. Thecapability to disable the “follow me” capability could be multi-layeredincluding disability except for those who provide an additional accesscode, e.g. calls emanating from certain individuals (family members,boss, colleagues) or emanating from certain locations (home, office,friends homes, important customers, etc.) Additional layers of“follow-me” capability may be user de-activatable such as “locatability”by local law enforcement agencies except upon court order. The capacityto deactivate “locatability” could be a personal right (such as theright to privacy) except when that right has been forfeited byconviction of a crime that would otherwise subject a person to lawfulimprisonment. “Follow-me” capability that is not de-activatable couldbecome, so long as it satisfies constitutional requirements, analternative to incarceration.

[0020] Still another object of this invention is the capability ofsending an encrypted signal that is only decipherable at a networkserver that has been encoded with unique codes that are known solely tothe UMMAD and the network server. Signals that need to be secure (suchas requests for access, funds transfer orders, secure telecommunicationlinks emanating from the UMMAD) would first be sent to the networkserver operated by the system service provider, decoded and sent on toultimate destination. The network server would be empowered to effectaccess commands, transfer funds and carry out any other instructedfunctions and the network service subscriber (UMMAD owner) would be heldharmless from liability.

[0021] Among the many advantages of this invention are that it wouldfacilitate anytime, anywhere communication between all human beings whoelect to be integrated into the world wide communication grid. At thesame time the subject invention includes aspects that would preservesubstantially the value of existing investment in wireless/landlineinfrastructure by allowing seamless, automated connection and transferto the infrastructure/network most economically capable of meeting theuser's needs on a real time, transparent-to-the-user, basis. Otheraspects of the invention will allow users to access all availablecommunication services including financial with a minimal amount ofaccess hassle associated with providing access numbers, calling cardnumbers, personal identification numbers, or other types of uniqueidentification processes. In addition, still other aspects of theinvention will allow users to be accessed through the use of a singletelephone number that allows a calling party to contact a centralizedlocation registry which will know the location of every human who hasbeen assigned a universal telephone number and will direct that call tothe closest fixed site transceiver (WBG) for most efficientlycommunicating with the user.

[0022] It is another advantage of the subject invention to simplify theprocess of accessing communication services by allowing all calls to beinitiated wirelessly and all calls to be received wirelessly wherever auser may travel. All users would have the ability to communicate withall other users who are enrolled in the system regardless of thecommunication service subscribed to.

[0023] Among other advantages derived from certain aspects of thedisclosed invention are that it will promote price/quality/technologycompetition by allowing much freer access to available radio spectrumand far more efficient use of available spectrum by forming layers(tiers) of communications facilities with ever wider geographic coverageas the next tier of the system is reached. The subject invention wouldcause all present communication service providers now using licensedradio spectrum to have an economic incentive to participate in an evergrowing degree of cooperation by which all communication services wouldbe linked to all other communication services in a manner that wouldinsure the most efficient use of the radio spectrum into a world-widegrid in which the first tier would consist of micro-cells in which theradio spectrum assigned would be repeated over and over but at very lowpower and low range to permit short range communication. The next tierwould be a geographically overlapping tier to which and from which callscould be transferred to permit re-connection of lost calls or transferof existing communications links. For example, the invention wouldpermit adaptation to slow movement (e.g. walking) by “intra-tier”“hand-off” from one micro-cell to another and to faster movement(automobile/train-travel) by “hand-up” from micro-cell to conventionalcellular (AMPS, digital TDMA, CDMA, PCS, GSM, etc) or still fastermovement (e.g. plane travel) or more remote travel (e.g. ship travel) by“hand-up” to satellite communication (e.g. TELEDESIC).

[0024] The subject invention would allow communication links to betransferred automatically to the system having the greatest possibilityof handling the call in accordance with the needs/desires of the user bytransferring the connection link, real time, from one communicationservice provider to another and back again as the user'sneeds/circumstances (e.g. location or quality of connection) changes.Another advantage is that the invention would allow unique useridentification, simplification of use, billing simplicity, security andavailability. These advantages would all be achieved in varying degreeswhile preserving the value of existing infrastructure investment;increasing competition in technology, quality and cost; and promotinggreater efficiency and use of scarce radio spectrum.

[0025] Still another advantage of he disclosed invention is that itcould have real-time reprogrammability of user preferences. For example,if during a call, excessive interference is experienced, a button couldbe pushed that would cause the UMMAD to search out another serviceprovider who could provide a stronger signal allowing the user to beswitched to the other service provider to secure a better interferencefree connection. Alternatively, should a caller determine that after acall has been initiated that it is important to discuss highly sensitiveinformation requiring secure communication, the user could provide anindication to the UMMAD that the communication link should be switchedto a service that would permit the communication to be encrypted forsecurity purposes.

[0026] Other advantages include greatly simplified unique identificationof individuals including unique combinations of identifiers thatguarantee virtually foolproof identification (e.g.-passive/activeidentifiers plus encryption) organized and implemented through aportable, hand held UMMAD that allows increasingly sophisticatedtechnology to be introduced to take advantage of existing infrastructurewhile providing to the ultimate user the most optimal communicationlinkage to the world wide telecommunications grid.

[0027] Many other objects, features, aspects and advantages of thesubject invention can be appreciated by a consideration of the followingDrawings and Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028]FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a tiered wireless,multi-modal access system designed in accordance with the subjectinvention.

[0029]FIG. 2A is a digitally controllable multi-modal transceiverdesigned in accordance with the subject invention for use in the systemof FIG. 1.

[0030]FIG. 2B is an input and control circuit for the transceiver ofFIG. 2A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] The subject invention is designed to build on the conceptsdisclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. '985 and '621 (the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference) by making theentire range of telecommunications systems and services available with aminimum of effort and to provide systems and methods for automatedtechniques for assuring that all communications (whether voice or dataor whether landline or wireless) are provided in a manner that bestmeets the functional desires of the user such as highest speed, highestclarity, least cost, least likelihood of interruption, highest security,or other qualities or a combination of such qualities. The subjectinvention satisfies the urgent need for technology that will facilitateease of communication, over the world wide telecommunication grid, thatbest meets the needs of the user for the fastest, least expensive andmost reliable service. FIG. 1 illustrates a highly schematicillustration of a world wide telecommunications system 2 designed andorganized in accordance with the subject invention. Because the subjectinvention is an integrative technology, much of the grid can includeexisting communications networks (both landland and wireless). Forexample, system 2 includes a large number of personally activatablemulti-modal, portable access devices 4 (which can be denoted a UniversalMulti-Modal Access Device; UMMAD's) which have the ability to provideomni-modal access to a broad range of wireless service networks such asthose disclosed in the '985 patent.

[0032] As will be described in more detail hereinbelow, each UMMAD 4will include a frequency agile and protocol agile transceiver operatingunder digital command signals of a digital controller and memory (whichstores communication protocol program sets or has the capability ofreceiving downloaded program sets) to allow the UMMAD 4 to access anyone of a plurality of wireless networks that may be available in thegeographic area within which the UMMAD 4 may be located. Because thetransceiver operates under digital signal command to adjust itsoperating frequency and communication protocol to permit access to anyavailable wireless network desired, the UMMAD 4 empowers its user toeither manually or automatically switch from one network to another inorder to obtain a desired communication service. Moreover, the UMMAD 4may be equipped with multiple transceivers adapted specifically towirelessly communicate in accordance with particular correspondingprotocols such as the BLUETOOTH protocol described at www.bluetooth.comand adapted for low power, short distances or alternatively adapted formuch greater power and distances as required for certain communicationlinks such as satellite based communication networks. Each UMMAD wouldfurther include the capability of receiving wirelessly transmittedcontrol signals for switching the UMMAD from one communications networkto another communications network, even while a communication session,such as a telephone call or data download, is on going so that a sessioncommenced on one network could be continued on another network asrequired to achieve the most economical and efficient use of availablecommunication resources.

[0033] By providing universal access to all communication networks thatmay be available at a given location or area within which a UMMAD isnormally moved, it will become possible to provide communication systemsto allow the most economically desirable allocation of infrastructureresources and to allow automation of the log-on procedures and ofprocedures for transferring the communication link/service/network toachieve the most efficient allocation of scarce radio spectrum. Moreparticularly, it is an object of the subject invention to provide asystem and method, including a business method, that is designed toharness market driven competition to promote innovation intelecommunication technology by granting ready access to the world widetelecommunications grid through efficient reallocation of scarce radiospectrum, automated unique identification of individuals, and improvedsecurity of data transmission.

[0034] To achieve the result described above, system 2 is provided withan array of transceiver base stations or Wide Bandwidth Gateways (WBG) 6which are capable of operating over a broad range of frequences andemploying a range of wireless protocols. Each of the WBG's includes allof the functional characteristics of a typical cellular system, fixedsite base station that is dedicated to a single system but modified withaugmented functionality allowing the station to provide a wide bandwidthgateway to telecommunications services via a short range, low powerwireless signal link similar to that of a cordless telephone. Such WBG's6, with augmented functionality, would form a wide bandwidth gateway toprovide connections with the Internet 8, PSTN 10, cable services 12, andother types of communication networks (not illustrated) through acommunication pathway 14 which may be a landline fiber optic cable orother type of communication trunk line. Any one of these communicationnetworks could operate to supply information to web sites through website hosting equipment 16.

[0035] As a UMMAD moves from one location to another, the communicationlink can be passed from one WBG to another and/or from onecommunications network to another so long as the UMMAD remains withinthe geographic operating area serviced by the WBG to which the UMMADremains connected. As necessary the frequency and communicationsprotocol under which the linked together UMMAD and WBG are operating maybe manually or automatically changed. All of the WBG's 6 can be groupedtogether to form a grid of base stations serving a defined geographicarea that is made up of relatively small operating zones where lowerbroadcasting power can be effectively used. For example WBG's could bedesigned to operate at frequencies and with sufficiently low power to beessentially unregulated. This array of WBG's could thus be consideredthe lowest rung forming Tier 4 of the subject communications system 2.One type of particularly desirable low power wireless link for a UMMADwould be a wireless transceiver operating in a accordance with theBLUETOOTH protocol (disclosed at www.bluetooth.com) for wirelesscommunication of data and voice. Any other type of low power, shortrange wireless communication link would also be suitable.

[0036] The next array of WBG's 18, forming Tier 3, is formed of WBG'shaving considerably greater operating power and thus much greatergeographic coverage. An example of WBG's 18 would be the fixed basestations of one or more cellular systems, that is WBG's 18 may be partof one cellular network or may be the base stations of multipledifferent cellular networks operating at different frequencies and/or ondifferent communications protocols. The WBG's 18 would form the nexttier, Tier 3, to which a particular call could be “handed-up” asdiscussed in more detail below. Tier 2 would be formed by fixed sitewireless base stations WBG's 20 covering still greater geographic areasoperating on different frequencies normally at much greater signalstrength and on differing communication protocols. Finally the firsttier, Tier1, will be formed of one or more WBG's 22 that may take theform of a very wide area station such as a communication satellite.

[0037] The system 2 illustrated in FIG. 1, when fully implemented, willprovide the capability of efficiently and automatically identifyingindividuals seeking access or service over the world widetelecommunications grid. In particular, system 2 can be operated tofacilitate automated unique identification of individuals. Still moreparticularly the identification can occur in a manner that is highlysecure in that it affords little chance for unauthorized or fraudulentmisuse of the system while also placing the user in full control of theprocess to avoid misuse by others such as governmental agencies thatmight abuse the user's right of privacy. Only by providing uniqueidentification, without substantial risk of unauthorized or fraudulentaccess, can the full potential of important parts of the world widetelecommunications grid, such as the full potential of the internet fore-commerce.

[0038] System 2 can be further organized to provide other importantfunctionality such as cradle to grave, anytime/anywhere interlinking ofhuman consciousness via means which maintains and respects the right ofprivacy of every human being to remain unique and capable of exercisingfree will including the freedom of thought. More particularly, byorganizing the system properly all human consciousness can be morenearly interlinked via a system that provides users with the greatestpossible interconnectedness and with all electronically accessibleknowledge without compromising the uniqueness, right of privacy, freedomof thought and free will of the individual users. This additionaladvantage of system 2 can be achieved by affording the ability to eachUMMAD 4 to uniquely identify its user as will be discussed in moredetail below.

[0039] As will be described more fully below, an important part of thesystem illustrated in FIG. 1 is the universal system traffic controller21. This subsystem would perform the important function of enabling acommunication link established between any particular UMMAD and WBG tobe switched to another communication link between the UMMAD and anotherWBG or the same WBG reconfigured to operated on another protocol. Thiscould take the form of enabling (or permitting) the UMMAD to reconfigureitself to operate on a different communication channel (for example at adifferent frequency or range of frequencies) and/or on a differentcommunication protocol. The details of design and operation of apractical WBG is described below.

[0040] As is well known in cellular telecommunications technology, amobile wireless handset can be “handed-off” between fixed site basestations as a result, for example, of system load or movement of themobile handset between geographic regions. Such hand-off can also occurto cause a data or voice communication to change frequencies over whichcommunications are conducted. Such frequency change can occur alone orin combination with a change in the fixed site equipment servicing thecall. The cellular system may implement such a hand-off through the useof a control channel separate form the channel used for data or voicecommunications. In such case, system control information is passedacross this control channel to coordinate a change in frequency betweenfixed site equipment and a mobile wireless handset. In addition, wherethe hand-off further includes a change in the fixed site equipmentservicing the communication, the communication pathway is appropriatelyre-routed to the newly assigned fixed site equipment to ensure seamlesscommunications.

[0041] As noted above, each WBG 6 could include fixed cell siteequipment for a single cellular communication system operating on apredetermined frequency band using a first protocol or could includeequipment for a plurality of cellular communication systems operating ondifferent frequency ranges and with different frequency protocols. Insuch an instance, the hand-off procedure can become more complex. Thatis, where a mobile wireless handset is transistioned (i.e. “handed-off”)between cellular communication systems operating using differinginfrastructure, the use of single control channel to coordinate thehand-off can be impossible. For example, in accordance with the presentinvention, a mobile wireless handset is transistioned from a firstcellular communications system using, for example, a TDMA modulationprotocol and operating using a first control channel for system controlinformation to a second cellular communications system using, forexample, CDMA modulation protocol and operating using a second controlchannel for system control information. In such case, not only must themobile wireless handset be capable of communicating control informationwith the firs cellular communications system, but it must also becapable of communicating control information with the second cellularcommunications system. Where these system have significant differencesin operation, the mobile wireless handset may have to simultaneouslymaintain two separate and distinct system control channels to ensure aseamless transition between the systems.

[0042] Furthermore, where the fixed cell site equipment is capable ofhanding-off a communication between different frequencies of fixed siteequipment operating within the same cellular communications system, suchequipment is not currently intended to transition such calls betweendiffering communications systems. Furthermore, a seamless transitionbetween such differing system is currently unknown.

[0043] In accordance with the present invention, a universal systemtraffic controller 21 is provided as shown in FIG. 1. The universalsystem traffic controller 21 operates to overcome the deficiencies notedand to seamlessly transition a communications between cellularcommunications systems using differing infrastructure and operatingcharacteristics, such as modulation protocol or system controlinformation data format. Specifically, universal system trafficcontroller 21 operates to receive and monitor system control informationfor two or more disparate communications networks and to coordinate thisinformation between networks to seamlessly transition a communications.Universal system traffic controller 21 could independently communicatedirectly with a mobile wireless handset, or UMMAD 4, or could indirectlyreceive this information from fixed site cellular equipment operating inconnection with each of two or more disparate communications networks.

[0044] In operation, universal system traffic controller 21 acts in afashion similar to that known for single system communications, butincludes cross-platform support for transition communications acrossdiffering systems. The universal system traffic controller is capable ofreceiving and transmitting system control information using a pluralityof differing modulation frequency/protocol combinations as necessitatedby the communications system being served by the traffic controller 21.Upon detection that a wireless mobile handset requires transition fromone system to another, the universal system traffic controller 21coordinates this transfer by issuing appropriate system control commandsto the disparate communications systems to maintain communications withthe wireless mobile handset during this procedure.

[0045] As discussed previously, the wireless mobile handset may be anomni-modal device as described in the '985 patent. This handset includesthe ability to transition between one or more operating protocols andfrequencies for communication. In the present invention such a handsetcould be employed and would operate in combination with the universalsystem traffic controller to transition from one communications systemor network, to another communications system or network without droppinga voice or data communication.

[0046] Universal system traffic controller 21 also operates tocoordinate transfer of the remote connection between communicationssystems as required to seamlessly maintain a communication. In otherwords, universal system traffic controller 21 may re-route a wirelineconnection from one communications system to another to facilitate thewireless transition by the wireless mobile handset. In this fashion,universal system traffic controller 21 can serve to completelytransition a communication from a first communications system to asecond communications system at any time such transition is consideredto be appropriate.

[0047] Reference is now made to FIGS. 2A and 2B wherein the internalorganization of a UMMAD is illustrated although many alternativearrangements would be possible depending on what combination offunctions, features and advantages of the subject invention it isdesired to afford to a user. More particularly FIG. 2A discloses a radiocommunications RF circuit 23 which has all of the same components andfunctional characteristics of the circuit illustrated in FIG. 1A of U.S.Pat. No. 5,854,985. More particularly, FIG. 2a includes an RF circuithaving an antenna 24, diplexer 26, amplifier 28, transmit mixer 30,receiver mixer 32, programmable local oscillator 34, modulation selectorswitches 36 and 38, analog detector-demodulator 40, digital demodulator42, analog modulator 44, digital modulator 46, voice grade channeloutput 48, digital output 50, voice grade channel input 52 and digitalinput 54 all of which are organized and function in accordance with thedescription of the '985 patent.

[0048] Similarly, the circuit of FIG. 2B discloses the input and controlcircuit 56 for the RF circuit 23. This control circuit includes all ofthe components and functional characteristics of the circuit illustratedin FIG. 1B of U.S. Pat. No. 5,854,985. More particularly, circuit 56includes speaker 58, microphone 60, voice processing circuitry 62,digital to analog converter 64, analog to digital converter 66, firstselection switch 68, microprocessor 70, memory 72, data input 74, dataoutput 76, data processing circuit 78, second selector switch 80 andmodem 82. The remaining components shown in FIG. 2B are connected andfunction as described in the '985 patent.

[0049] An important difference in the circuit illustrated in FIGS. 2Aand 2B compared with the circuit of FIGS. 1A and 1B of the '985 patentis the way in which the microprocessor is programmed, via a programstored in memory 72, or temporarily downloaded into memory 72 via awireless link established by the circuit of FIGS. 2A and 2B. Inparticular, the program is written to implement the functionalitydescribed in this description of the subject invention. In particular,the program will enable the UMMAD to reconfigure itself to operate overany one of the available wireless service networks in order to reconnecta lost communication session (voice or data) either on the same servicenetwork or over an alternative network as commanded by the UniversalSystem Traffic Controller (USTC) 21. In particular, the USTC 21 willmaintain a log of on-going communication sessions so that upon prematureloss of a wireless link between a UMMAD and a wirelessly linked WBG, acommunication link may be re-established either over the same network ora separate network with the same WBG, another WBG in the same Tier or aWBG within another Tier. As required the UMMAD whose communication linkhas been prematurely disconnected can be commanded to re-configureitself to communicate through another network using a different wirelesscommunication channel at a different frequency and using a differentcommunication protocol in order to complete the service desired by theuse, e.g. voice communication, data transfer, geo-position signaling,control function updating, etc. Moreover, as described more fully below,the program within memory 72 may operate to recognize signals providedover a control channel set up by the program to receive, process and actupon commands provided to the UMMAD whereby communication links can betransferred from one wireless service to another wireless service

[0050] Thus, each UMMAD would include the capability to auto-reconfigureits transceiver, to be compatible with the wide band gateway (WBG) towhich it is linked so that it can respond to a request for service froma UMMAD within its limited service area by sending a request for linkageover its landline connection to the requested service provider and byestablishing a local wireless communication channel that is bothavailable and compatible with the capability of the UMMAD to interactwith the WBG as necessary to provide to the user the requested service.In this configuration the WBG would operate much like a wall mountedcordless telephone unit by extending a communication link to the UMMADover a communication channel determined to be available at extremely lowpower and using a protocol that is both consistent with the servicerequested and consistent with the capability of the UMMAD to interactwith the WBG. As the UMMAD is moved about or as the communicationchannel established by the WBG is no longer operable (due to movement ofthe UMMAD out of range of the WBG or because the assigned channel isotherwise necessary for optimal service to another UMMAD user within theservice area of the WBG), the wireless communication link would behanded off to another WBG or to a higher level wireless service stationhaving an overlapping service area. This feature illustrates theadvantage of equipping wireless service users with UMMAD type portableaccess devices since the interlinkage of wireless service users within agiven geographic location would greatly facilitate the optimal use ofthe available radio spectrum and would further facilitate optimalre-allocation of scarce radio spectrum to produce the optimal level ofservice to the greatest number of users.

[0051] A special advantage of creating UMMADs having the capabilitiesdiscussed in relation to the circuits of FIGS. 2A and 2B are that theywould be able to be switched from one Tier to another as illustrated inFIG. 1. As noted above, the various tiers of wireless service serving agiven geographic area could be arranged so that successive tiers couldserve ever greater geographic areas so that the first tier would providewireless service to the greatest geographic area and the last tier wouldprovide wireless service to the smallest geographic area. For example ina multi-tiered system, a wireless connection provided, for examplewithin one tier, could have associated with it a higher level tier as analternative such that upon loss of the wireless link, the user would beautomatically shifted to a substitute wireless link via an alternativecommunication service that will have the capacity to re-establish thelost connection by (a) finding the location of the user whose call waslost, and (b) reestablishing the last connection to that personautomatically through an alternative communication channel providingwireless service to the same geographic area in which the user islocated. In a mult-tier system having a population of UMMAD users, eachUMMAD would be capable of interacting with any one of the tiers within agiven geographic level and would be automatically transferrable eitherwithin a tier or from tier to tier depending on changes in thecommunication link (caused, for example by movement of the user orchanges in interference pattern affecting the communication link) orre-allocation of the communication links to bring about a more optimalutilization of the communication networks for the greatest number ofusers.

[0052] Another important aspect of the subject invention is that each ofthe WBG's as described would be designed to create gateways to anyavailable communication service wherein each WBG would be linked by anextremely broadband connection such as fiber optic cables 9 illustratedin FIG. 1. Each WBG would be provided with wireless communicationcapability to reach all UMMAD's that may be within operative range ofthe WBG. With this arrangement, the various UMMAD's could be directed tocommunicate over the channel that provides the desired service using themost effective communication protocol via the lowest possible tiercapable of completing the link to a UMMAD which in turn is capable ofproviding the service desired by the UMMAD user. Alternatively, thewireless communication system could use a WBG at a higher tier becausethat WBG is better suited to provide the type of service (most secure,highest quality, lowest price, strongest strength signal, least likelyto be interrupted, etc.). Examples of the type of service that could bemade available to an UMMAD over a wireless communication link from a WBGwould be telephone communication, internet connection, broadcasttelevision, cable television, radio, weather, news, sports information,airline schedules and other types of video/audio signals.

[0053] The configuration of a WBG would be similar to existing fixedsite, base stations for servicing wireless networks having a transceiverdesigned to operate at the frequency and using the communicationprotocol appropriate for the wireless network, eg. AMPS, TDMA, CDMA, GSMetc. Each WBG however would have the capacity to switch a wirelesscommunication channel or call to a different system. This function couldbe accomplished by providing a frequency agile, protocol agiletransceiver operable under digital control to switch from onecommunication protocol to another utilizing circuitry of the typedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,854,985. Alternatively, each WBG could beequipped with separate transceivers appropriate for each wirelessnetwork to service all UMMAD's within the relevant geographic areaserved by the WBG and capable of communicating using the correspondingprotocol.

[0054] As is illustrated in FIG. 1, all WBG's would be connected bylandline or wireless communication channel to a Universal System TrafficController 21.

Dynamic Auto-reconfigurable WBG's and UMMADS

[0055] To achieve the most efficient utilization of scarce radiospectrum and to maximize the communication capability of existingtelecommunication infra structure, the following capabilities could tobe built into interactive reprogrammable UMMAD'S and compatible highbandwidth WBG's as described above but modified to provide additionalfunctionality as described below. More particularly, the individualUMMAD'S would be built with the capability of being reconfigurable interms of frequency agility and protocol agility to communicate utilizingany existing wireless service available in a given geographic location.The necessary data set needed to access this service could be residentin the portable UMMAD or could be made available via a wireless downloadof the protocol from the wireless service using a standardize/dedicatedcommunication/control channel and/or from a second traffic managingportal having general traffic controlling functions. Once configured toallow for optimal communication the communication link could be modifiedby change in the user's desires, location or external communicationconditions or alternatively, the traffic managing portal could cause theUMMAD'S to be reconfigured based on shifts in overall demands made onthe telecommunications infrastructure under management by the portalcontroller. The reconfiguration of the various systems would be based onthe following considerations:

[0056] The capacity of a given UMMAD to be switched to a more suitablefrequency and/or protocol via a resident capability orre-configureability from downloading of data sets from the WBG oranother WBG under the control of the first WBG,

[0057] Changes in the type of service desired by the user based onchanges in location, type of service needed, external conditions(weather etc)

[0058] Changes in aggregate demand placed on the telecommunicationinfrastructure serving a given region that require reallocation ofcommunication links to provide additional capacity in certain types ofcommunication to best satisfy the aggregate demand in accordance with apredetermined hierarchy involving (1) public safety, (2) governmentalfunction, (3) high cost/revenue security channels, (4) etc

[0059] Capability of the managing WBG to control the existinginfrastructure or shift presently connected UMMAD's to another wirelessservice provider in order to increase total system capacity.

[0060] Taking control of the “last mile” connection is the essence ofthis system's capabilities. This control is effected via reallocationand maximum utilization of wireless connections to provide individualswith access to the desired service via the nearest WBG having theexisting capability or reconfigurable capability to service the UMMADuser given its capabilities or reconfigurable capability.

[0061] The Bluetooth type of wireless communication can be implementedat varying levels. For example the protocol can be implemented tountether devices by replacing cables with a wireless link. On a morecomplex level the BLUETOOTH wireless link may be used to provide auniversal bridge to existing data networks, a peripheral interface, anda mechanism to form small private ad hoc groupings of connected devicesaway from fixed network infrastructures. BLUETOOTH technology isdescribed extensively at www.bluetooth.com and the information describedtherein is incorporated by reference.

[0062] Another important aspect of this invention in terms of achievingits full potential is its ability to greatly simplify location andunique identification of individuals to allow quicker, less complicatedaccess to electronically available services of all types. Thisimprovement would employ a unique combination of identifiers ofindividual users of both a “passive” type and an “active” type. Forexample each UMMAD could be provided with apparatus for uniquelyidentifying individuals by a “Passive Identification” PI combined withan “Active Identification” AI. PI relies upon the fact that a human isuniquely identified by his genetic make up which may be directlymeasured (e.g. through DNA testing) or which is reflected in unique,measurable characteristics such as retina prints, finger prints, andother physical/functional characteristics which may be altered only withgreat difficulty or not at all. This type of unique human quality can beconsidered a “passive identifier” since no evidence of consciousness orfree will is required for the human identifier to be measured. AI reliesupon the fact that a human also possesses a sense of separateness orconsciousness that separates him from all other humans. Thischaracteristic finds expression in freedom of thought and in theexercise of free will which can be employed for unique identificationbut it requires an act of will on the part of the individual e.g. theindividual is required to produce a PIN or issue a voice command. Thusthis type of identification can be considered an active identifier i.e.it requires an active expression of will on the part of the human beingidentified.

[0063] UMMAD's may be equipped with a PI sensor in the form of a DNAsensor for identifying, in substantially real time, the identity of anindividual. The sensor could take a variety of forms such as formingpart of the UMMAD so that the UMMAD would not activate unless held bythe person whose DNA is sensed by a sensor made part of the UMMAD.Alternatively, the DNA sensor could be made part of an implantablesensor that is capable of communicating with the UMMAD throughelectrodes, active signal, passive transponder technology oridentification could occur by secondary DNA determined tests such asfinger print sensing, retina scans, or other unique physicalidentification of the individual.

[0064] A UMMAD designed in accordance with the subject invention couldhave the capacity to become activated only when a user provides it withhis unique “Passive Identifier” (PI) and his “Active Identifier” (AI),as defined above, such that a user can self activate a generic UMMADsimply by providing his unique PI and AI without requiring networkactivation. For example, a portable wireless access device, such as aUMMAD, designed in accordance with the subject invention would have thecapacity to reconfigure itself upon receipt of a PI and AI of asubscriber. Using this feature, the user subscriber would not berequired to have his own UMMAD but could use any that might be availablesuch as one that is dispensed from a vending machine at an airport or ina supper market. There would be no need to go to a cellular equipmentoffice for assignment of a new cellular telephone.

[0065] UMMAD's designed as described above will allow individual usersto be assigned a single access identifier (personal telephone number)that would allow for automatic access to the user regardless of thelocation of the user. In particular, all UMMAD's would provide acontinuous location indication to the nearest WBG to provide the worldwide communication grid information regarding the location andaccessibility of the UMMAD user. Thus, as the user moves about his homeor office, only the closest WBG would announce an incoming call althoughthe call might be answerable at any WBG through the UMMAD carried by theuser. As the user enters his automobile, the nearest WBG might be a morepowerful mobile cellular transceiver or WBG's located along the path oftravel of the user. In the office, as the UMMAD user moves about abuilding, the closest WBG would communicate with the UMMAD or the UMMADcould be placed in a mode to receive all incoming calls wirelessly fromthe closest WBG to be answered through the UMMAD or the WBG which is theclosest or becomes the closest as the user approaches the WBG for thepurpose of answering the phone. The system would continually track thelocation of the user and route the incoming call to the user from thenearest WBG to insure that the user is alerted to an incoming call viathe WBG that is best suited to meet the user's preprogrammed desires(lowest cost, greatest security, strongest signal, greatest potentialfor long term connection, etc.). This feature of UMMAD would provide a“follow-me” capability that would allow the world wide communicationgrid to locate and provide call through put to all humans who chose tocarry an UMMAD having the “follow-me” capability. To avoid “big brother”aspects, each UMMAD could be equipped with a user activatable capabilityfor disabling the “follow me” functionality in which case the callingparty could be invited to leave a message or be routed to another partyor destination. The capability to disable the “follow me” capabilitycould be multi-layered including disability except for those who providean additional access code, e.g. calls emanating from certain individuals(family members, boss, colleagues) or emanating from certain locations(home, office, friends homes, important customers, etc.) Additionallayers of “follow-me” capability may be user de-activatable such as“locatability” by local law enforcement agencies except upon courtorder. The capacity to deactivate “locatability” could be a personalright (such as the right to privacy) except when that right has beenforfeited by conviction of a crime that would otherwise subject a personto lawful imprisonment. “Follow-me” capability that is notde-activatable could become, so long as it satisfies constitutionalrequirements, an alternative to incarceration.

[0066] UMMAD's designed in accordance with this invention could beequipped with the capability of sending an encrypted signal that is onlydecipherable at a network server that has been encoded with unique codesthat are known solely to the UMMAD and the network server. Signals thatneed to be secure (such as requests for access, funds transfer orders,secure telecommunication links emanating from the UMMAD) would first besent to the network server operated by the system service provider,decoded and sent on to ultimate destination. The network server would beempowered to effect access commands, transfer funds and carry out anyother instructed functions and the network service subscriber (UMMADowner) would be held harmless from liability.

Financial Transactions Over the Internet Facilitated by Accurate andUnique Identification of Individuals

[0067] A major impediment to wide acceptance of the internet as a mediumfor financial transactions is the inability of individuals toinexpensively and accurately identify themselves via a system thatsimultaneously avoids the danger that a participating individual wouldbe subject to fraudulent misappropriation of his assets or that wouldencourage coercive action against a participating individual.

[0068] Achievement of this desirable result will require solutions to anumber of difficult technical problems. For example, a need exists for aportable, repeatable, unique, substantially foolproof identification ofindividuals at a relatively inexpensive cost. This functionality couldbe achieved by a providing to augmented capabilities to a UMMAD type ofdevice. Development of a system that complies with existing UCCrequirements (or obvious analogs thereof) to permit negotiableinstrument, demand deposit orders to be created. For example, an UMMADowner could take his device to a retail outlet and establish acommunication link to the network service provider through a Bluetoothconnection to a WBG operated by the retail outlet. The retail outletwould access the network system server through a landline connection andsend both the results of the passive and/or active identifiers to thenetwork server to secure network authentication over a separateencrypted link back to the retail outlet including identification of theUMMAD user which could be printed out to allow the user to be sure thathe was accurately identified. The retailer could then request the userto authorize funds transfer to the retail outlet's bank account whichthe user could authorize via a non-secure link to the retail outlet WBGand simultaneously via an encrypted link to the network server whichcould then be transmitted to the retail outlet. Upon verification of theresults from both the UMMAD server to the UMMAD and to the retail outletvia the retail portal, a transaction receipt could be printed induplicate and signed by the user, one copy to the user and one copy tothe retail outlet with a transaction number sent in encrypted form tothe user for recordation in his UMMAD memory over one secure channel,and to the retail portal for recordation in the retail outlet's memoryand to the receipt printer for recordation on the receipt. Via thistechnique, the transaction will have been properly recorded in theuser's memory, in the network server's memory and on paper to bemaintained by the user and the retail outlet. This same approach couldbe implemented via the internet for e-commerce purposes by allowing thetransaction to be implemented via a personal computer that has a dockingstation for the UMMAD with the personal computer being the retailoutlet's portal. Similarly the Personal Computer could be used to accessa web site for services.

[0069] While a number of practical applications for the subjectinvention have been discussed above, many alternative embodiments,variations, applications and changes are apparent. In addition severalpractical methods of doing business based on the apparatus and methodsof this invention have been disclosed above. If this invention is widelyadopted, it could have profound effects on the degree to which humanscan freely and easily communicate.

I claim:
 1. A wireless, multi-modal access device adapted to communicateover a plurality of communication networks operating in differingcommunication modes to facilitate transfer of a communication linkduring a communication session to promote efficient use of thecommunication networks, comprising a. a radio transceiver capable ofoperating simultaneously over at least two communication channels toallow a communication session to be established on one said channel byadopting a communication mode compatible with one of the plurality ofcommunication networks to provide a communication link over said onechannel using a communication mode compatible with said onecommunication network and capable of simultaneously wirelesslycommunicating over a second said channel with another communicationnetwork using a communication mode compatible with said secondcommunication network, and b. an access device controller connected withsaid radio transceiver for causing the communication link establishedbetween said access device and said one communication network to betransferred to said second communication network during thecommunication session to allow the communication session to be continuedover said second communication network.
 2. A communication system forintegrating a plurality of wireless communication networks capable ofindependent operation to form an integrated communication grid,comprising a. a plurality of wireless communication networks providingservice to users in overlapping geographic areas, said wirelesscommunication networks using different communication modes, b. aplurality of portable wireless, multi-modal access devices, each saidaccess device being capable of operating in at least some of theplurality of communication modes compatible with said communicationnetworks and being capable of establishing a communication session overa first communication link using any one of said communication networkswhile operating in a compatible communication mode, and c. a systemcontroller for communicating with any said access device during acommunication session established over a communication link using one ofsaid communication networks to cause the communication link to betransferred to a second one of said wireless communication networkshaving a geographic service area encompassing said access device bycausing said access device to switch to a different communication modecompatible with said second communication network during thecommunication session to allow the communication session to continueover said second communication network.
 3. An omni-compatible broadbandconnection gateway for providing wireless access to a plurality ofcommunication services for a plurality of portable wireless accessdevices located within a geographic service area of the gateway andcapable of operating in a plurality of different communication modes,comprising a. a frequency agile and protocol agile radio transceivercapable of simultaneous wireless communication with a plurality ofportable wireless access devices within the geographic service area ofthe gateway over a plurality of re-assignable communication channelsadapted to be assigned to those portable wireless access devices towhich a communication service is supplied using a frequency andcommunication protocol compatible with the requirements of the portablewireless access device and compatible with the communication servicebeing supplied, b. an interface circuit for providing a broad bandcommunication channel between said radio transceiver and allcommunication services being provided by the gateway to the portablewireless access devices operating within the geographic service area ofthe gateway, and c. a transceiver controller connected with said radiotransceiver for causing said radio transceiver to assign an appropriatecommunication channel to each portable wireless access device to which acommunication service is to be provided wherein the communicationchannel is selected by said controller to be compatible with therequirements of the communication service and the corresponding portablewireless access device and for causing said radio transceiver to employa communication protocol and to employ an appropriate frequency forwireless broadcast over each communication channel to allow all of thecommunication services to be supplied to the portable wireless accessdevices to be operated simultaneously.
 4. An omni-compatible broadbandconnection gateway as defined in claim 3 , further comprising a memoryfor storing a plurality of data sets allowing said radio transceiver toimplement those communication protocols appropriate for supplying therespective communication services accessible by said interface circuitfor wireless broadcast over the respectively assigned communicationchannels,
 5. A transferrable portable wireless access device forproviding access to a wireless service supplied by a wireless serviceprovider upon supply of a user identification signal by which thewireless service provider is able to authenticate a user entitled toservices to which charges may be posted for services provided to theportable access device without requiring prior association of the userwith the access device in the business records of the service provider,comprising a. a transceiver for wirelessly accessing a wireless serviceusing a frequency and communication protocol appropriate for suchwireless service and for broadcasting a user identification signalrequired for posting charges for services provided to the access deviceby the wireless service provider without requiring prior association ofthe user with the access device in the business records of the serviceprovider, b. a user identifying circuit for receiving user suppliedidentifiers for generating the user identification signal supplied tosaid transceiver, said user identifying circuit including i) a passiveidentifier sensor for sensing a unique characteristic of the userdetermined by the user's DNA, and ii) an active identifier sensor forreceiving a user generated signal resulting from a willful action of theuser.
 6. A multi-channel gateway for providing wireless access to aplurality of communication services for a plurality of portable wirelessaccess devices located within a geographic service area of the gateway,comprising a. a multi-channel radio transceiver capable of simultaneouswireless communication with a plurality of portable wireless accessdevices within the geographic service area of the gateway over aplurality of re-assignable communication channels adapted to be assignedto those portable wireless access devices to which a communicationservice is supplied using a frequency and communication protocolcompatible with the requirements of the portable wireless access deviceand compatible with the communication service being supplied, b. aninterface circuit for providing a service side communication channelbetween said radio transceiver and all communication services beingprovided by the gateway to the portable wireless access devicesoperating within the geographic service area of the gateway, c. a memoryfor storing a plurality of communication protocols appropriate forsupplying the respective communication services accessible by saidinterface circuit for wireless broadcast over the respectively assignedcommunication channels, and d. a transceiver controller connected withsaid radio transceiver for causing said radio transceiver to assign anappropriate communication channel to each portable wireless accessdevice to which a communication service is to be provided wherein thecommunication channel is selected by said controller to be compatiblewith the requirements of the communication service and the correspondingportable wireless access device and for causing said radio transceiverto employ a communication protocol stored in said memory and to employan appropriate frequency for wireless broadcast over each communicationchannel to allow all of the communication services to be supplied to theportable wireless access devices to operated simultaneously.